Keesler Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Biloxi, Mississippi
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Keesler Air Force Base is located within the city limits of Biloxi, Mississippi, on the Gulf of Mexico coast. Home of the 81st Training Wing, Keesler is the Air Force’s second-largest training installation and specializes in communications, cyber, and weather training – graduating approximately 40,000 students annually. The installation is also home to the 403rd Wing (Air Force Reserve) which operates the WC-130J weather reconnaissance aircraft (the “Hurricane Hunters”). Keesler has a unique coastal setting that provides excellent quality of life despite its training mission character.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Train communications, cyber, and meteorology professionals for the Air Force and joint force; conduct weather reconnaissance with Hurricane Hunter aircraft.
Major Units: 81st Training Wing (host wing, all technical training); 403rd Wing (AFRC Hurricane Hunters, WC-130J); 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (“Hurricane Hunters”)
Tenant Units: Naval Air Station Meridian liaison elements; various joint service student populations (Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and international students)

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Biloxi, MS (population approximately 45,000) immediately adjacent; Gulfport, MS – approximately 10 miles west; New Orleans, LA – approximately 90 miles west
Nearest Commercial Airport: Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (GPT) – approximately 10 miles
Gate Access: Main gate on Meadows Drive; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes at VCC; student access procedures in place

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 5,500 (permanent party plus large student population of 15,000+)
Family Members: Approximately 6,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 3,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 25,000+ (including student population)

Key Facilities

Medical: 81st Medical Group; full primary care, dental, behavioral health, and preventive medicine; specialty referrals to Memorial Hospital at Gulfport or New Orleans VA/civilian hospitals
Commissary: Yes – commissary on base
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES main exchange, BX, and food court
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers; outdoor pool; beach access (Gulf of Mexico); golf course; bowling center; casino culture nearby (Gulf Coast casino entertainment); fishing and water sports year-round
Schools: Biloxi Public School District and Harrison County School District serve military families; no DoDEA schools; Mississippi Gulf Coast schools are average to below-average by national metrics
Childcare: Child Development Center on base; waitlists possible in peak training cycles; register early
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base; wellness and preventive care
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office; appointment-based

Housing

On-Post Housing: Privatized housing on base; rebuilt and improved following Hurricane Katrina damage; mix of family housing and unaccompanied quarters; condition generally good
Average Wait Time: Typically short; training base character with large transient population
Off-Post Housing: Biloxi, Gulfport, Ocean Springs, and D’Iberville are popular communities; average rent approximately $1,100-$1,700/month; Gulf Coast is very affordable; beaches and seafood culture are quality-of-life benefits
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit; 81st TRW sponsorship program available
In-Processing: 81st Training Wing in-processing; typically 2-3 days; hurricane preparedness briefings included
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Airman and Family Readiness Center; enrollment required; Gulf Coast specialist availability is limited; New Orleans and Mobile, AL provide better options for complex cases

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Humid subtropical; hot humid summers (average high 90F/32C in July); mild winters (average low 45F/7C in January); hurricane season June-November is a real concern; post-Katrina infrastructure has been substantially rebuilt; Gulf breezes moderate summer heat
Cost of Living: Very low; Mississippi Gulf Coast is among the most affordable areas in the South; no state income tax on military pay in Mississippi
Nearby Attractions: Gulf Coast beaches; Biloxi casinos and entertainment; New Orleans (90 miles) – world-class food, jazz, and culture; Gulf Islands National Seashore; deep-sea fishing and charter boats; Mardi Gras celebrations in February
Spouse Employment: Limited in Biloxi/Gulfport metro; healthcare and casino industries are primary employers; remote work increasingly important; AETC/Keesler student support creates some positions; A&FRC assists

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.keesler.af.mil
Main Installation Phone: (228) 377-1110
MWR Website: https://keesler81fss.com
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), Keesler AFB; (228) 377-3349; relocation, financial readiness, employment, family support

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://www.keesler.af.mil; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/keesler-air-force-base; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KeeslerAirForce_Base